PCL1 Oklahoma City Comets

RedHawks vs. Storm Chasers - Game Notes - May 28, 2013

Published on May 28, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Oklahoma City Comets News Release


Today's Game: The RedHawks return home to Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark after a 13-game road trip to play Omaha for the first time this season at 7:05 p.m. Tonight's matchup features a pair of pitchers who both rank in the top seven in the PCL in ERA.

Last Game: Oklahoma City ended a five-game losing skid and avoided a sweep in Des Moines with a 4-3 win against the Iowa Cubs. The RedHawks scored four times in the third inning. Jake Elmore drew a walk with the bases loaded to bring home the game's first run. Brett Wallace then singled home another, and an error on the play allowed another run to score. Iowa chipped away at Oklahoma City's lead with runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. The I-Cubs had the tying run at third base in both the sixth and seventh innings, but RedHawks reliever Alex Sogard was able to keep the lead intact. Ross Seaton (2-4) pitched 5.1 innings for the RedHawks and allowed three runs on just three hits and two walks to earn his second consecutive win.

Today's Probable Pitcher: Jarred Cosart is slated to start tonight's game, searching to break his personal two-game losing skid. Although Cosart has posted a 3.31 ERA and turned in two quality starts over his last three games, the RedHawks have lost each time...In his previous outing Thursday in Fresno, Cosart allowed two runs and tied season highs with six hits and six innings. It marked the first time this season he has given up more than one run in back-to-back games...Coming into tonight, Cosart carries the PCL's fourth-best ERA (2.55) and fourth-best opponent batting average (.204). He also paces the RedHawks in wins (4), strikeouts (53), innings pitched (49.1) and walks (22). His strikeout total is also second-best among Astros minor leaguers.

Against the Storm Chasers:

2013: 0-0 2012: 6-10

All-time: 110-98

In OKC: 55-49

Tonight marks the first of 16 meetings against Omaha this season...The RedHawks lead the all-time series with the Storm Chasers, 110-98, but Omaha has won four of the last five season series against Oklahoma City...Last season Omaha won three of four series, although the RedHawks did notch a sweep in Omaha, July 16-19...The Storm Chasers have had considerable success at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark of late, winning 12 of their last 14 games. The RedHawks have not won a home series against Omaha since June 26-29, 2010...During the 2012 season series, Omaha averaged 6.9 runs per game...Brett Wallace hit .396 with three home runs and 13 RBI while Fernando Martinez hit .338.

Today's Transactions: RedHawks pitcher Brad Peacock has been recalled by the Astros and outfielder Robbie Grossman has been optioned to Oklahoma City. Grossman began this season with the RedHawks, hitting .324 with a .452 on-base percentage as the team's primary leadoff hitter. He made his big league debut April 25 and became the first Astro with two doubles in his debut since James Mouton in 1994. Over 28 games with Houston, Grossman hit .198 with three RBI.

Postcard from the Trip: The RedHawks just wrapped up a 13-game road trip, going 5-8. After splitting series in both Sacramento and Fresno, the RedHawks stumbled in Iowa, dropping four of five. For the trip the RedHawks hit .247 and posted a 4.11 ERA.

Bats Looking to Break Out: Since a 22-run, 23-hit outburst over their games last Tuesday and Wednesday in Fresno, the RedHawks have hit .194 over the last six games. They have totaled 16 runs and have been held to three runs or less four times. Only eight of their 33 hits have gone for extra bases and they have not collected more than one extra-base hit in four straight games.

Wally World: Brett Wallace collected 15 RBI during the road trip. Although he did not join the team until April 21, Wallace is now tied for the team lead with eight home runs and ranks second with 28 RBI, just two behind team-leader Marc Krauss. Since he began PCL play, he has third-most homers and is tied for the fourth-most RBI in the league.

Walk This Way: The RedHawks had more walks (7) than hits (6) Monday, as well as in Sunday's doubleheader at Iowa, in which they also had seven walks compared to six hits over the two games. The team drew 27 walks in the five-game series at Des Moines and ranks second in the league with 209 walks this season. Marc Krauss walked twice Monday and leads the RedHawks with 32 walks (T-4th in PCL). Both Jake Elmore and Che-Hsuan Lin have both walked at least as much as they've struck out this season.

At Your Own RISP: Iowa went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position yesterday, and the RedHawks held the I-Cubs to a 1-for-15 mark over the final three games of the series. Opponents have hit .184 (29-for-158) with runners in scoring position over the last 19 games. On offense, the team went 3-for-31 with runners in scoring position during the Iowa series and only one of those hits scored a run.

Dinger Details: The OKC pitching staff has allowed a home run in a season-high six consecutive games. Opponents have gone deep eight times during this stretch and the RedHawks have allowed 30 percent of their season total over the past two series (12 of 40).

Better Under Pressure: In his first save opportunity since May 10, RedHawks closer Jose Valdez pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning yesterday to preserve a one-run win. Valdez now has a 1.35 ERA during save situations (2 ER/13.1 IP), but a 4.00 ERA (4 ER/9.0 IP) in non-save situations.

Close Calls: Four of Oklahoma City's last five games were decided by one run and the RedHawks are now 7-6 in one-run games this season. Last year, they had the best winning percentage in the PCL in one-run affairs (.609, 28-18).

Opening Acts: The RedHawks are 4-9 this season in series openers, including 2-4 at home.

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